At A Glance

Where

When

Jan 12, 2012 - Apr 15, 2012

Who

any skier or snowboarder

Price

$2

Alberta’s Mt. Norquay in Banff is one of North America’s oldest ski areas. In tune with its age, the resort has launched retro pricing for one day each month and reinstated its historic tea house at the top of the North American Chairlift.

Norquay is introducing the first of its $2 lift ticket days this Thursday, Jan. 12. On the second Thursday of every month, Norquay plans to charge a toonie for lift tickets. (For those from below the 49th parallel, a toonie is the Canadian $2 coin.)

The ski area also resurrected its historic tea house at the top of the North American Chair this winter. The tea house, which was built in the early 1950s, overlooks the town of Banff and commands a view of the rugged mountains of Banff National Park. High mountain tea houses have long been a tradition in the Canadian Rockies, but unlike others which are accessible only by hiking, you can ride a chairlift to reach Norquay’s tea house.

Norquay's tea house overlooks Banff and peaks of Banff National Park. Photo by Becky Lomax.

Skiers and snowboarders can stop in for tea, snacks or sandwiches. Non-skiers can buy foot passenger tickets to get up the lift to enjoy the tea house and views. Norquay also sells a ticket for skiing, tubing and tea, which costs $59.

Mt. Norquay will be starting up its night skiing this Friday night, Jan. 13. Norquay is the only Banff ski area that offers night skiing, which is available on Friday and Saturday nights from 5-10 p.m. Night lift tickets cost $20.

Night tubing begins on Jan. 13 too. Tubing is available Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 9 p.m. Two hours of tubing costs $15-21, depending on age. Tubing is also available daily.

Get a taste of Mt. Norquay’s tubing, courtesy of YouTube and DJTMedia: